Exposure in Labs (help)

Hello:) My name is Annalee and I am just beginning my first undergrad
research project in cell biology. I am concerned about exposure to
radiation and toxic chemicals in the lab...today my mentor dropped a
vial of phenol (which splashed on my forehead...go figure?). I washed
it off thoroughly; however, I was not aware of how toxic/caustic etc.
phenol was. Does anyone know if I need to do anything else to make
sure the phenol won't burn or hurt my skin/health? Also, does anyone
work with UV illumination boxes/photography (as in ethidium bromide
flourescence of agarose gels)? I seem to have gotten an awful sunburn
today, and I wasn't out in the sun! How do you all protect yourself
from overexposure? I apologize for all these simplistic questions...
I asked my mentor and he kind of laughed it off...and somehow I don't
think it's too funny...I know there are risks inherent in any lab
work, but I'd appreciate any input anyone might have about this...
Many thanks in advance...my address is svhl at music.cc.uga.edu:)